Center for Astrophysics Research and Technologies Seminar Series
Using the LWA Radio Telescope to Observe the Ionosphere
Presented by Ken Obenberger (AFRL)
Earth's ionosphere consists of a highly variable plasma that disrupts radio communication, navigation, and science (such as radio astronomy). This plasma can be characterized and monitored using a variety of techniques including high frequency (HF; 3-30 MHz) sounding. Traditionally, HF sounding is done with a single transmitter and a handful of receiving antennas. With just a few antennas imaging is possible but it lacks resolution and fidelity. However, new opportunities have arisen due to the recent advent of many element radio telescopes, such as the Long Wavelength Array at Sevilleta (LWA-SV). With unparalleled sensitivity down to 3 MHz, LWA-SV is capable of leveraging existing HF transmitters, such as the DPS4D Digisonde at Kirtland AFB and WWV in Boulder, CO, as well as natural emitters, such as lightning and celestial sources. In my talk I will discuss how LWA-SV is used as an ionospheric instrument and highlight some recent science results.
2:00 pm, Thursday, September 20, 2018
PAIS-2540, PAIS
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